Nostalgic notes from the people who have helped polish a ‘diamond’

Dearest Baba,

We have had the pleasure of having you in our lives for 33 and 20 years respectively but there have been a lot of people who have added colours to your life and have made meaningful contributions over the last 60 years!

Here are some thoughtful messages, nostalgic anecdotes and notes of love from some of them. Hope you enjoy the message trail as much as we did in curating them :)

Baba & Maa ( Shri B. K. Mazumdar & Smt. Anjali Mazumdar)

They may not be around in our lives, but am sure they must be celebrating this momentous occasion wherever they are. Do take a few moments to recollect and remember some of your fondest memories with Dadubhai & Thamma, you Baba & Maa…

Dada (Sumitendra Mazumdar)

To maximally enjoy the next few sentences you must have read “Dennis the Menace” cartoons. They go back to 1951 !! All through these years Dennis has been everyone’s favorite 5 year old boy, the “troublemaker”. That he was white and blonde did not bother people. My all time favorite Dennis-cartoon has been the one in which 5 yr old Dennis is advising next door neighbor Joey (3 or 4 yrs old) how to get your parents to give you a dog. “Keep asking for a brother, and they will give you a dog” advises Dennis.

I did not want a dog. It was 1955 and we had just moved to CFRI, Dhanbad from Ranchi. It did not bother me that much that Natu had a brother Bitu, or our next door neighbor Ila had a sister, Baby. After all, Natu and Ila were my age. But it was mortifying that another neighbor Piklu (cousin of Tarun and Anup Goswami, who lived across from us), who was clearly one year younger at age 2 had a brother Tommy! This was injustice and I often complained to my mother, “How come Piklu is younger and has a brother and I do not?”

I like to think that our parents got tired of my nagging and in another year I was the proud older brother. That would be the first elaborate preparation for childbirth I would see, with Dida and Mamoni massaging my mother’s huge belly after dinner with mustard oil! Anyway I remember my mother was rushed off to the hospital (I do not remember if baba was there) from the Ballygunje house. The next day we all went to see the baby that I knew was my brother. I have seen only six babies right after birth: Gopal, Nandita, Atmadipa (Didibhai’s daughter), Bapi (chhordi’s older son) and my own kids (actually with these last two I was right there during the births, but that’s a different story!) Sixty years later I still remember my visit to the hospital, with my paternal grandfather (Dadumoni) to see my mother and the baby. I think it was in the morning. I was absolutely amazed how tiny the baby was (although Gopal was born a healthy greater than 9 pound baby). Most impressive were the very tiny very red feet which stuck out of the wraps. Honest to God, I have never seen such red feet on anyone — or was that a 4 yr old’s imagination?

The baby grew up fast and when I was 6 and the baby was 2 we moved to a new neigh- borhood in CFRI. From our one story row house (H type) to a two story row house (C type), probably less than 1/4 km away. All my friends (no more than 1/2 dozen perhaps) were still in the H type neighborhood so that is where we collected in the evenings to play. There was a small field across from our old apartment (noone called it that, it was bari aka house), on the other side of an unpaved road and we ran around there. Across from our house but on the same side of the street lived the Goswamis, with Anup Goswami being at least 12 yrs old maybe even more. One day my mother allowed me to take Gopal to the playfield and I proudly took him there (I was now as mature as Natu and Ila and Piklu!), asked him to sit on the grass at one end, and got involved in the games with my friends.

It was winter and soon it was dark and we had to go back home. That’s when I discovered my brother was nowhere to be found! He was simply gone !! It was as if I was hit with a sledgehammer on my head. I went round and round on the same field looking for him and he was nowhere! I was panicking and crying. After more than 10 minutes of this the

Goswamis called me and asked why I was crying. I bawled that I have lost my brother. Goswami Jethima told me that Anupda had seen Gopal sitting by himself and had taken him home, and instructed me never to leave him alone like that !!

I have had many many worries since then, but I do not believe that there has been any other time when the relief was so great!

Needless to say, Gopal survived this and other adventures we had together [I am thinking of the time when we went to IIT Kharagpur for his pre-admission interview, but that’s another story!] and on August 29 he will be 60! He has achieved a lot, as an Engineer and husband and father, and I am as proud to be an older brother today as I was in 1956.

Happy birthday Gopal! Enjoy it in the company of people who love you the most. Life is about to give you more soon. You deserve all of these and more!

With love and best wishes, Dada

Nandita (Nandita Roy)

Ami tomar theke 6.5 years choto tai choto theke tomar sango besesh paini karon ami baro hote hote tomar hostel life suru hoe geche. Kichu purono photo dekhe chotobelay phire jete parbe tai pathalam. Bhai boner sampark ekta madhur samparko.

On your 60th birthday I wish you good health , prosperity & happiness for the years ahead.

Bhalo Theko

Kamath (Ramachandra Kamath)

Wishing you A very happy birthday, Amit. Have an awesome time ahead with lots of fun, laughter and celebrations..!

Meena (Meena Kamath)

Don’t worry about number, 60 is the new 30! Wishing u a very happy birthday with many cheerful and healthy years ahead!

Puja (Sinjini Bardhan)

The best mama ever! Making us feel like the princesses we are!

Kuti & Riya (Suparna Dey & Soubali Dey)
Happy 60th birthday Dada o Mama!!

Reshmi (Reshmi Roy Chakrabarti)

Wish you a very very happy 60th birthday mama … Hope you have a lot of fun filled life ahead … Truly speaking You are one of those people I have seen in my life who is so positive by nature, confident , enthusiastic, amiable, well connected to family and cousins… Hope you have a great 60th bday and a happy retired life where u start living for your own !!! Cheers

Arun Da & Bula Boudi (Arun Kumar Roy & Suchismita Roy)

Happy 60th Birthday Gopal!! I wish you a very happy & healthy life for all times to come. Among my maternal cousins you are one of the closest to me. Some common factors are

1) Both of us studied at I.I.T. Kharagpur (although you were about nine years younger and we were not at Kharagpur at the same time, but both of us studied Mechanical Engineering)

2) Both joined TELCO Pune after our studies.

3) Both had a common boss i.e. Samir da (Mr. S.K.Shome).

Enjoy your 60th birthday with family & friends to your hearts content. Both your Boudi’s & my love & affection will be always with you.

- Arunda

Tapan Da & Molly Boudi (Sabyasachi Roy & Molly Roy)

Happy Birthday Amit. All the best!

Asim Da & Pitu Boudi

Dear Gopal,

It’s a Big Day for You today. Even though I am older now, The Moments that we Could share in our childhood days at P-848 Hem Niwas , and 55B , T.C Road, New Alipur, Kolkata and CFRI, Dhanbad are unforgettable. Even today who are all lucky to have your close company must be much more enjoying every moments with you. All that you hope for, all that makes you happy, all that you dream of — Come True that’s my birthday wish for you, brother! Enjoy this special Day and have a gala Birthday Celebration along with your better half Sharmila, Lovely Energetic great Son Prantik and your lovely daughter -in-law Dipti and off course along with other near and dear ones . Bhalo Thakis, Sustho Thakis. With Lots of Love, Ashim-da

Sayantani Roy
Kaku is a techie from IIT who also knows how to enjoy life to the fullest….this is a very rare combination and this is the first thing I like about him…….I still remember the day when he came to meet me at Tata Motors, Pune and and my fellow colleagues said you have such a “KOOL” uncle and I completely agree to that…

also I really admire the way he has supported kaki in her endeavors…..I hope he takes training sessions to teach men how to become good husbands :-)

such a multi-talented person is hardly seen and he is an inspiration for many……on his birthday I wish him good health and happiness and may he continue to inspire us J

Srotoswini Roy
Happy Birthday Kaku! We have spent very little time together, but thanks to Facebook I have recently been acquainted with your multi-faceted personality. Your poetry and writings, travel photos, your and Kaki’s evergreen love story, your zesty outlook to life make for a delightful read. Thank you for being a part of the most memorable event of my life last December. I won’t say the customary “Have a good day”, because your adorable family will definitely ensure your day is absolutely fantastic. I will only look forward to the live Facebook updates — Happy Birthday!

Bado Dida

With Amit my son-in-law,I share a peculiar fighting friendly relationship,far from M-I-L/S-I-L relation. Amit today I wish you on your birthday n everyday be filled with warmth of sunshine,feeling of love n blessings a life can unfold.

Papa & Chandni (Ranjan Sinha & Chandni Sen Sinha)

Dear Amitda,

We wish you a joyous 60th birthday! May you be blessed with many more cultural

accomplishments and pass on your “Rabindrik Gyan” to the next generation. Havefun bragging your age and claiming senior discounts :-)

- Chandni & Ranjan

Kutkuti (Anneysha Choudhary)

Happy 60th Pimoshai! May all your dreams come true..wishing you exotic holidays, lip smacking food, memorable cultural events, great health and infinite joy for a zillion year ahead…loads of love!

Mithu (Sumanta Ghosh)

Please convey my greetings to Amit da. I wish him a very happy 60th birthday and many happy returns of the day. May his days and years ahead be the most fulfilling with all his passion for poetry, theater and fun-filled events with friends and family.

Dalim (Arnab Sinha)

AmitDa, you are a vital part of our family. You bring humor, color, and fun to all our celebrations. Personally, I feel indebted to you for all your insights and mentoring during my formative years. Today, on your birthday, I’m wishing you all of the good things you bring to us. Happy birthday. I am attaching some of the good memories that I have collected over the years.

Dalim

Shaoni (Shaoni Mukherjee)

Happy Birthday! On your milestone birthday I wish that your life is filled with more love and happiness than ever before. Your passion towards Tagore has always been a motivation for me. Ekbar Prantik-Dipti soho Seattle ghurey jao, amader khub bhaalo laagbe

Jhimli (Jhimli Ghosh)

Wish Amitda many more Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Peaceful, Active,Busy Returns of the day….. Happy Birthday Amit Jamaibabu….

Gopal & Sharmila (Dibyojoti & Sharmila Bakshi)

We conceived our beloved ‘jamaibabu’, as one of most poised, compassionate, intelligent, intellectual and above all a great observer. Turning sexagenarian makes him increasingly young and sexy. Hope to see him making century in this innings with a consistently steady performance. Stay healthy, stay blessed. We love you a lot. And a very Happy Birthday to Amitda.. Regards,Gopal & Sharmila

Tupsi (Shreya Sinha)

Happy birthday my dearest mesho!

Though we haven’t spend much time together but will always cherish those late night ice creams and movies. You’ve been truly awesome and thank you for always always being there. I hope you’ve an excellent b’day and a special one too. Take care & stay young at heart forever!

And yes, we need to click more pics together. This is the only one I have!

Biswajit Mukhopadhyay

A slight backwards leaning gives you the right distance for focusing. When Amit is talking I would rather stay focused.

Forced to look South for the photographer’s sake.

Sumit, Bipasha & Cheenu (Sumit Basu, Bipasha Basu & Sucheeta Basu )

So many memories… so difficult to put in a nutshell…he isone person who is full of life always..always made us laugh…he was one person to whom we…the wives …took our demands during parties… and we got ..our ice cream with mango pulp…movies….Amitda…it has always beeen great fun to be around you… sorry for the delay in the message… we love you always…. and pray that the almighty give you peace, health and success in whatever you touch. ..lots of love from me Sumit and Cheeni..

Hemen (Hemendra Bhattacharya)

Bonded Forever. Happy 60th!

Siddhu (Siddhartha De)

Dear Amit, Wish you a terrific birthday, and many returns of the day. Our reunion after 38 years in May was an unforgettable experience replete with sheer joy.

Jyotisman Dasgupta

This visit to Amit was to pay my tribute to a Champion from my college days who strode the footer field like a true prince.

Jonaki Boudi (Jonaki Bhattacharya)

Here is our latest photo,& hope its what UR looking for.And my poem Amit, 60 is just a number, for which I do NOT care, Its the beauty of the friendship,& relationship, that we share, Our journey has been wonderful, right from the start, Woven with warm, loving moments,that are life’s inseparable part, Togetherness is the source of strength, courage,& motivation, Helps to walk in life’s journey, with constant determination. On your special day, my only wish is, just keep walking along, Doing what you love,& enjoy, with a smile,& a song, I will always be with you, very step of your way, Happily, excitedly I say, “ HAPPY B’DAY!” HAPPY 60 th. Amit. Enjoy the next phase, just like me, kee bolo?

Samiran (Samiran Bhowmik)

On the Special Day, I wish you all the very best. All the joy can ever have and may you be blessed abundantly today, tomorrow and the days to come! May you have a fantastic birthday and many more to come.

Happy Birthday our loving Amit Da !!

Arnab Sen

My first meeting with Amit da, as I clearly remember, was 35 years ago, in Pune, at Gangadhar Bannerjee da’s house, near Alankar talkies a famous landmark, then, in Pune. We had gathered there for our rehearsal,for the play, ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’, that was to be staged during the Durga Puja (1981). That was the year, if I remember correctly, when there was a division in the city’s Bengali Association and the breakaway group had decided to celebrate the Durga Pooja separately for the first time at a location on the Fergusson college road. Amit da, smart and handsome, and a gifted thespian, was playing the romantic lead role in the play, while I was a nervous learner, struggling with my Bengali diction and trying my best to fit into the role as the heroine’s younger brother. Altogether, it was great fun and I shall forever remember those days of my life.

We were both working for Tata Motors, Pune ( then known as Telco Pune), but being in different units, at two different locations, we rarely met, but at times we did bump into each other serendipitously.

As luck would have it, I moved to Indonesia, to join the Texmaco Group along with Anushri and Antarika in the year 1995 and then a year later, Amit da too joined Texmaco and along with Sharmila and Prantik, shifted to Lippo Cikarang, thus becoming our Colony neighbours. Goes without saying , the next 8 years were the golden period and perhaps best times in our life that we had together. In Sharmila, Antarika got her mentor and Guru who taught her Bharatnatyam dance, starting from the basics to making her give stage performances as a teenager. We celebrated virtually all the major Indian Festivals together. as a group and then the family get-togethers on different occasions were so much fun. Can’t forget the wonderful time we had during the family excursions to Bali and then again to Bromo, shall remain etched in our memories.

Talking about Amit da as a person, I can say that I have rarely come across, someone so good; skillful and dexterous and equally passionate both in engineering and technical proficiency as well as in art, music and culture. It is extremely rare to have these diverse interest and qualities blended together in a single person. Though I did not have the opportunity to work with him directly, on any project, the interactions that I had with him on few occasions, left me extremely impressed by his dedication towards his work and the ‘never say quit’ and out-of-the-box approach, towards problem solving. At the same time despite being at a highly responsible position and being so busy and tied up in his job, he would take out time and actively participate in all the cultural functions. On various occasions we have had the opportunity to listen to his ‘kobita path’ ( recitation).
Though we for sure miss their company here in Jakarta , it is heartening to know about their wonderful cultural activities that they are engaged in India and the happiness and joy they are together deriving from this journey, as well as spreading them among others.

I understand that Amit-da will be celebrating his 60th birthday on 29th August, 2016. It is indeed an extremely joyous occasion for all of us. Together with Anushri and Antarika, we convey our best wishes to him on this occasion, wishing many happy returns of the day and many many years of healthy, prosperous and peaceful life. May he achieve success and continue to derive joy and happiness, walking on the path that he has chosen for himself.

Puja (Antarika Sen)

Dear Amit Uncle, here’s wishing you a very happy birthday! Hope this coming year ahead brings you more joy, love and reasons to celebrate! Love your enthusiasm and zest for life, culture, travel, and poetry! Here’s a happy picture of us in Singapore. Have a fantastic year ahead and hope to meet you soon. Love Puja

Ashok & Seema (Ashok & Seema Malik)

Hi Amit, It has been almost 18 years since we met. Though we were never thick of friends but we have always enjoyed each other’s presence. A new phase of life is beginning for you and one of the best gift of your life is on its way to take you though the rest of your life. Have a fun filled day and the years to come.

Rajiv & Anamika (Rajiv & Anamika Kansal)

Hi Prantik and Dipti This surely will be a great momento for him to cherish. I will try to search for a photo but all the collections are in India. Amit as I have known over years has always a fine gentleman and a ‘bindaas’ person. He, not only has a great professional but a creative fine arts orator. We, Anamika and myself have great memories of spending quality time together as families, whether at Lippo or outings. One of most important lessor I have learnt from him is about perseverance. I still remember my first visit to our facility in Subang on induction. I was pointed towards a godown before that facility and was informed that this is the place where we are keeping all the bought out machinery from old plants. I go there and I see one person all by himself and that is Amit. Fully charged to turn around that piece of junk into production machines. Amazing!!! On your hanging of boots from one stage, I wish you, Amit, more success in your second stage of life. May coming years bring you more happiness, prosperity, health and peace.

Sanjay Bhatia

Hi Prantik! Trying to locate a pic but due to recent moving of house and mummy’s illness things are not in order However our special wishes are as follows : Feeling nostalgic about a long association starting way back in Telco days. Fondly cherish the memories of long discussions and brain storming sessions over endless cups of tea. Time has really flown ! Wish you a day that is as special as you are ! May the God decorate each golden ray of the Sun reaching you with wishes of Success, Health and Happiness for you !

V.S. Kulkarni

It’s a great and happy occasion that we are celebrating my dear friend Amit’s. 60 the birthday. I had the happy occasion of meeting him in Sydney recently

Nilanjan & Nilanjana Bhattacharya

We three, I still reminisce this priceless moment.

Shiladitya Roy

সন্ধিলগ্ন এসেছে সগৌরবে, অধরা আবার ডাকে সুধাসংকেতে, মদমুকুলিত তারি দেহসৌরভে, অনামা কুসুম অজানায ওঠে মেতে।।।। শুভ দুই-ত্রিংশতি।।।

Tonmoy Haldar

Ask us to show you his wonderful, personalized video message :)

Twinkle Chaudhuri

Happy birthday, dearest Uncle! Love you tonnes x

Susmita Ghosh

অমিতদা, শুভ হীরক জয়ন্তী। 60 বছরের সঞ্চয় শরীর ও মনের যত স্নেহ আগামী দিনগুলিতে হীরকের মত দ্যুতি ছড়াক

Priyanka Bhattacharya

I look up to you as a teacher, a guide. You are ever respectable and I wish you the best of the best. Happy 60!!

Shubha Bannerjee

May your coming year surprise you with the happiness of smiles, the feeling of love and so on. I hope you will find plenty of sweet memories to cherish forever. Happy birthday.

On your special day, I wish you good luck. I hope this wonderful day will fill up your heart with joy and blessings. Have a fantastic birthday, celebrate the happiness on every day of your life. Happy Birthday!!

Sudipta Mukherjee

Happy birthday Amit da,on your special day we wish you strong health, great success and true happiness in your life :):):)

Munmun & Amar

Shubho jonmodin Amitda khoob bhalo theko sushtho theko bhogobaner kache ei kamana kori

Supriya & Madhumita Bhattacharya

Soma & Subrata Chatterjee

Our beloved Amit da its always a joy seeing these photos and rejoicing good times spent together.miss u Dada hv a blast

Lopa & Arin Dubey

You will always remain in our heart for being such a lovely and courteous person …may you have all the joy your heart can hold , all the smile a day can bring ,all the blessings a life can unfold, may you get the world’s best in everything🎂lopa and Arin ☺

Sutapa Mitra

I am sending all my best wishes to Amitda on the eve of his 60th Birthday. I will always pray to Almighty to help him maintaining the spirit and strength in him. It’s really a pleasure to work with him, so caring and inspiring.
অমিত দা খুব ভালো থাকো, সুস্থ থাকো, চিরনবিন থাকো, জীবন কে উপভোগ কর।

Ambarish Bhattacharya

Sumona & Debobrata Mukhopadhyay

Thank You Amitda for being there..
Thanks for showing concern & care..
Thank you for patting our backs..
Thanks for helping when we lack..
For being the way you are..
You have always been our Superstar..
Wish you a very happy 60th Birthday!!

Jhumu (Sharmila Mazumdar)

সব সময়ই মনে হয় ফেলে আসা দিন যদি ফিরে পাওয়া যায় — আবার মনের মত করে সাজাই।
জন্মদিনের হীরক জয়ন্তীর মূহুর্তে তোমার
zero start concept এ রয়েছে এক অদম্য উন্মাদনা/ উত্তেজনা…..

সকালে স্কুলের কাজ সেরে বাড়ী ফিরে এখন তুমি
দুপুরের নিরিবিলি আড্ডা/ খাওয়ায় তুমি
ইচ্ছেমত ম্যাটিনি শোয়ে পাশে তুমি
বিকেলে নাচের ক্লাসের শেষে তুমি
“ যেন জীবনের প্রতি পলে তোমাকে পাই”
“ তোমাকে চাই তোমাকে চাই”……..💃🎼☕☔🌮🍲🏄🏼🏊🏻🚣🏿🚗✈🌅🌃🎥📺📷📽📋📓📖📚👫😍

May the show go on & all the very best for the next third of this epic innings Baba.

We love you

Prantik & Dipti